But Dutterer was also a stickler for the rules. It was common for the rules interpreter for the YAIAA, Bryant Meckley, to receive a phone call from Dutterer, asking about the specific phrasing of a rule or when he found a loophole.

'Hey Meck, I got one for you,' Dutterer would call and say.

"99.9 percent of the time, Stan would have it right," Meckley said.

After more than 20 years as a referee, Dutterer was a familiar and friendly face at sporting events throughout the area. And now, his colleagues said, that face will be deeply missed.

Dutterer was struck and killed by a vehicle in Harrisburg Friday after stumbling off a median and onto a road near the main entrance of the Farm Show Complex, police said. He was headed to officiate the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Tournament.

He was 73.

Dutterer's friend Ralph Hartlaub sparked Dutterer's interest in officiating wrestling. Hartlaub, a fellow referee, told Dutterer to go take the course to become a wrestling official. Shortly after passing the test, Dutterer took the tests for football, baseball and softball.

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"He loved kids," Hartlaub said of Dutterer's decision to officiate.

Both Dutterer and Hartlaub enjoyed watching the children grow up - starting in sports in elementary school and going through high school.

"He was a great guy. We're all going to miss him," Hartlaub said.

Seeing Dutterer in the referee uniform became a part of the game, George Shue, the YAIAA executive director said. The news of Dutterer's death came as a shock to many members of the local sports community, many who had known Dutterer for more than 20 years.

Herb Schmidt, the previous YAIAA executive director, said that Dutterer registered to officiate in 1983, most likely for wrestling, as his records show.

Although the Hanover resident never revealed his favorite sport, Dutterer had one to referee each season - football, wrestling, baseball and softball. And he was always eager to officiate, Schmidt said, signing up for any openings.

Dutterer was also dependable, his colleagues said.

If another official couldn't make a match or game, Dutterer would be available at a moment's notice, Shue said.